'Kaguya-sama: Love is War' Is One of the Most Delightfully Original Rom-Coms Ever

A story featuring a character with a brilliant, calculating mind is typically riveting, regardless of medium.   And this concept is integral in some of the most fun anime I’ve ever encountered – shows like Code Geass, No Game No Life, Detective Conan, Eyeshield 21, and One Outs.  Death Note brings it to a new level by featuring two such characters – Light and L – who use their intellect to engage in high-stakes mind games.

Now, how about translating the “Light vs. L” dynamic into a romantic comedy?  And that’s exactly what Kaguya-sama: Love is War – a new anime that debuted last winter 2019 season – cleverly does.

The plot revolves around Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya, who are considered to be the top two students of the prestigious Shuchiin Academy.  They are the student council president and vice-president, respectively, and everyone in the student body looks up to them in reverence.

Coming from a poor family, Miyuki is regularly taking part-time jobs.  But because of this, he has developed a dogged work ethic, which combined with some natural intellect, propels him to excel in his studies.  On the other hand, Kaguya is born to one of Japan’s wealthiest families, and her upbringing has molded her into the icy, multi-talented, intelligent girl that she is.  When it comes to academics, she’s only second to Miyuki.

Brimming with such remarkable intelligence, they have plenty of brainpower to spare outside academics.  And where do they use choose to use them?  Well, on schemes that will force the other to confess his or her feelings, of course.  You see, both of them secretly like each other.  But both are too proud and shy to admit it.  For them, the first one to do so is the “loser.”  Thus, the two are constantly locked in on a psychological battle, each keen of manipulating the other to make the first move.

The result of this absurd power play for love?  High-quality comedy!

And the fun doesn’t end with Miyuki and Kaguya.  They also have two of the most incredibly comical supporting characters ever in Chika Fujiwara, the bubbly, slow-witted student council secretary; and Yu Ishigami, the observant and overdramatic student council treasurer.  Miyuki and Kaguya’s “duels” are already enjoyable on their own, but they are definitely enhanced by the complications that Chika and Yu’s presence provides.  Together, they make an amusing, sprightly circle of friends.

Also, its OP is pretty catchy.  It’s definitely one of the best of the season, second only to the OPs of The Rising of the Shield Hero and The Promised Neverland.  Meanwhile, although it was only used in one episode (I forgot what), the alternate ED that has Chika dancing adorably is wonderfully meme-able.

However, don’t mistake that Kaguya-sama: Love is War is only light-hearted, quirky fluff.  It doesn’t neglect substance.  It also has a genuinely progressing storyline, character development, relatable themes, and even a few poignant moments (specifically, for Kaguya).  And in turn, these further make the audience care for the characters and become more invested on the events of their humorous lives.

Wholesome and hilarious, Kaguya-sama: Love is War immensely entertains with its winsomely original premise; delightful, wacky characters; and unnecessarily elaborate, zany interactions.   Being the rom-com anime to beat, it has set a high bar for the genre’s upcoming offerings this year. 

Can’t wait for season two.

Side note: a live-action film is set to be released later this year!